Trump Cancels US Delegation’s Visit to Davos over Government Shutdown: White House

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US President Donald Trump decided not to send the US delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEC) in Switzerland’s Davos due to the ongoing government shutdown, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"Out of consideration for the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay and to ensure his team can assist as needed, President Trump has canceled his Delegation's trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland," the statement reads, TASS reported.

Initially, Trump was expected to head the delegation himself. However, he wrote on his Twitter page on January 10 that he was cancelling the visit due to the situation on the American-Mexican border, which does not allow the White House and the Congress to revive the partially suspended operation of the US government.

Later, two high-ranking US administration officials said the delegation will be led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The US delegation to Davos was also expected to include Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chris Liddell, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy coordination.

The World Economic Forum will be held in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22-25, 2019. Apart from Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend it either.